Abstract: In exemplary implementations of this invention, a knowledge processing system performs decentralized knowledge acquisition from human experts. The system may store the acquired knowledge in a knowledge database. The system may include an AI expert system to apply computer reasoning to data stored in the knowledge database. The system may provide humanly perceptible outputs to human experts to increase the likelihood that the human experts will pay attention to requests for information or to other communications, contribute knowledge objects in response to a query, provide “high quality” information, tag knowledge objects in the database, or review knowledge objects.

Abstract: An improved method is provided for managing a whitelist. Upon receipt of an electronic message from an approved sender, the message is reviewed for references to other potential sender that may be added to the whitelist. For example, the potential sender may be copied on the electronic message. Based on this reference, the potential sender is deemed trustworthy and placed on the recipient's whitelist.

Abstract: An economic-based solution is provided for regulating electronic messages (commonly referred to as spam). Analogous to a standard bond mechanism, delivering email to an inbox requires an unknown sender to place a small pledge into escrow with a third party. If the recipient expects further communication with a particular sender, they can add the sender to a list of approved senders which will allow the sender's messages to be delivered to the recipient. An innovative method for managing this list of approved senders is described in the present application. A technique for soliciting electronic messages using the underlying principles of the bond mechanism is also set forth in the application.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and systems for enabling analysis of communication content while preserving confidentiality. In one embodiment, communication content is processed to increase the similarity of superficially dissimilar instances of communication content and/or to increase the distinctiveness of superficially similar instances of communications content. In this embodiment at least part of the processed communication content is hashed to obscure the actual communication content. In one embodiment, social network analysis is performed on the communication content after hashing, and visualization of the social network analysis includes thread graphs and/or circular graphs.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and systems for enabling analysis of communication content while preserving confidentiality. In one embodiment, communication content is processed to increase the similarity of superficially dissimilar instances of communication content and/or to increase the distinctiveness of superficially similar instances of communications content. In this embodiment at least part of the processed communication content is hashed to obscure the actual communication content. In one embodiment, social network analysis is performed on the communication content after hashing, and visualization of the social network analysis includes thread graphs and/or circular graphs.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and systems for enabling analysis of communication content while preserving confidentiality. In one embodiment, communication content is processed to increase the similarity of superficially dissimilar instances of communication content and/or to increase the distinctiveness of superficially similar instances of communications content. In this embodiment at least part of the processed communication content is hashed to obscure the actual communication content. In one embodiment, social network analysis is performed on the communication content after hashing, and visualization of the social network analysis includes thread graphs and/or circular graphs.

Abstract: An economic-based solution is provided for regulating electronic messages (commonly referred to as spam). Analogous to a standard bond mechanism, delivering email to an inbox requires an unknown sender to place a small pledge into escrow with a third party. If the recipient expects further communication with a particular sender, they can add the sender to a list of approved senders which will allow the sender's messages to be delivered to the recipient. An innovative method for managing this list of approved senders is described in the present application. A technique for soliciting electronic messages using the underlying principles of the bond mechanism is also sent forth in the application.